Graduation Is

 Pride rises in my heart to hear them say your name.   You are ready to walk down the aisle on your graduation day. I am so proud of you for all that you accomplished in the 12 years of your school life. So much competition you had to face, going to such a big school. I never doubted for a 2nd that you would succeed. It hasn't been easy.

You were so shy as a youngster in grade school. I  had some talks with her teachers about it and your willingness to please. You were a joy to all of them. I was often proud of that too.

Coming to your school and visiting you. Being able to be a part of your class and watching all of you learn. It is an adventure that can't really be explained until your actually lived it. I am proud that you wanted me around to see your work and play with your friends.

I was proud when you learn to climb the monkey bars and were no longer afraid of the height of it.  I was proud when you could flip on them upside down. That is something I was always afraid to do.

All of these moments led up to this moment of seeing you with a lot of the same friends I watched you play with in grade school. So much pride for all of you.  

Each of you trying to look the same in your cap and gowns, each of you looking different in your unique hair, body, and skin tones.

I know who so many of you are and that also makes me proud. Proud that my house was somewhere you wanted to bring them to. Proud that we all played hopscotch, basketball, tetherball, and ran around the playground together.

I was so proud of you for the field trip he went on by yourself without me. Yes, I was so sad that I didn't get to go with you. I can't really blame them. They had enough chaperons, teachers this time.  Something unique to tell all you girls goodbye that were going into junior high.   It was nice to know you're getting over your shyness and could go on a camping trip with just your friends. 

Oh how proud you make us. We hear not the words the principle is saying about your high school years. He drones on about all of you together as a senior class. We don't hear all the special academics. We hear your laughter on the playground.

We hear us all trying to eat quietly in the noisy lunchroom. We hear our ears straining to hear your voice singing in the choir. We think only of all the times we spent with you. 

Thank you for loving us, and letting us be such a vital part of your life. We are proud that we never came to your school because you were in trouble.

We didn't have to talk to the principal about your poor grades, or behavior.  Not that you didn't have to go there once in a while, we know you weren't perfect.   Maybe once or twice to the office because you were sick. We cried inside wishing we knew how to make it all better.   We prayed like we did when you were you young, Dear Lord, take the pain away.  "Help me feel better today." 

Such pride we have felt for you our sweet child. A pride that we are trying so hard to describe.  We have not the words.

Finally they call your name and we snapped to attention as it becomes your turn to walk along the aisles, marching past all of us. You turn up the stairs so far away, we almost need binoculars to see you. And there, yes, our proudest moment of all. 

We hear the echo of  your name as the principal reads off your list of honors.   You achieved enough scholarships to get you into college. You have so much to do for the next 4 years. 

Oh our  hearts swell, our eyes burst into tears that  we cannot control.

Don't worry about the tears you see streaming down my cheeks.  We are not ashamed, everyone around us too, is weeping these tears of joy,

 From the day you were born, we held your dainty body, led you by the hand, until you have just made us very, very proud over and over again.   Congratulations, our wonderful little senior child. The future is waiting, make it what you will, we love you and are forever filled with  pride, our super senior girl!